Charging For Holidays Explanation Question

[Rockgirl]

Wow. This sounds greedy and entitled to close for a day and still charge. I get it if a person doesn’t show up and you had a spot blocked for that kid and you were ready and waiting for that kid, but if you close your doors, you should not ask people to pay you for not being available that day.
I get paid for the hours that I am at work, doing work. When my work closes for a holiday, we don’t get paid because we aren’t working. If we want time off for a vacation, sickness, etc. We have to budget beforehand because if we aren’t working, we don’t get paid. Work=money
Maybe you should charge more for the days that you ARE working to cover those times that you want money when you AREN'T working?
No work=no money in my world. Be responsible and budget.

Parents should always read policies before enrolling. If the program doesn’t fit their needs, or they strongly disagree with the policies, they shouldn’t enroll there. It’s that simple. Parents do not dictate my policies.

[Ac114]

Wow. This sounds greedy and entitled to close for a day and still charge. I get it if a person doesn’t show up and you had a spot blocked for that kid and you were ready and waiting for that kid, but if you close your doors, you should not ask people to pay you for not being available that day.
I get paid for the hours that I am at work, doing work. When my work closes for a holiday, we don’t get paid because we aren’t working. If we want time off for a vacation, sickness, etc. We have to budget beforehand because if we aren’t working, we don’t get paid. Work=money
Maybe you should charge more for the days that you ARE working to cover those times that you want money when you AREN'T working?
No work=no money in my world. Be responsible and budget.

You should probably look for a better job that has benefits. I’ve never worked somewhere where I didn’t have at least 2 weeks of PTO, If not more. So yes, I did get paid even if I wasn’t working.

[Snowmom]

Wow. This sounds greedy and entitled to close for a day and still charge. I get it if a person doesn’t show up and you had a spot blocked for that kid and you were ready and waiting for that kid, but if you close your doors, you should not ask people to pay you for not being available that day.
I get paid for the hours that I am at work, doing work. When my work closes for a holiday, we don’t get paid because we aren’t working. If we want time off for a vacation, sickness, etc. We have to budget beforehand because if we aren’t working, we don’t get paid. Work=money
Maybe you should charge more for the days that you ARE working to cover those times that you want money when you AREN'T working?
No work=no money in my world. Be responsible and budget.

You have a pretty crappy job.
Maybe you should open your own daycare so that as a business owner, you can get paid holidays.

[Annalee]

Wow. This sounds greedy and entitled to close for a day and still charge. I get it if a person doesn’t show up and you had a spot blocked for that kid and you were ready and waiting for that kid, but if you close your doors, you should not ask people to pay you for not being available that day.
I get paid for the hours that I am at work, doing work. When my work closes for a holiday, we don’t get paid because we aren’t working. If we want time off for a vacation, sickness, etc. We have to budget beforehand because if we aren’t working, we don’t get paid. Work=money
Maybe you should charge more for the days that you ARE working to cover those times that you want money when you AREN'T working?
No work=no money in my world. Be responsible and budget.

Normally, I don't post on nonsensical post like this, but I'm in a mood today:: Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and, for the record, I am very responsible with or without getting paid for my holidays. I charge 52 weeks per year and close for many, many days throughout the year. My clients know up-front and should they choose to enroll, they are prepared for what will follow. I respect those that do not enroll as well just as I respect your opinion but just as my way isn't the only way, neither is your way the only right way to do things. To each their own....have a great day!

[lovemykidstoo]

Because you charge based on enrollment, not attendance. I personally only charge for the actual holiday, not the day before or after that I'm closed. I also don't charge for my vacation time as I understand they'll need to pay for alternate care during that time. Some people take 2 weeks of PAID vacation as well as MANY holidays paid. I only close for handful of the major holidays, but I'm open on days like today, President's Day, etc. but am closed and paid on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Day, the Monday after Easter, Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day. But I close Christmas Eve and the day after Thanksgiving unpaid. This year I'm taking off like 2 whole weeks because I don't even have DCKs here that need care!!

All of this is exactly what I do. I actually just sent out a reminder on my FB daycare page that said:

Reminder that this week is as follows:

Closed, Thanksgiving Day. This is a paid day if your normally scheduled day falls on it.

Closed, Friday, November 23. You do not pay for this as it's a vacation day for me.

[Grey]

Wow. This sounds greedy and entitled to close for a day and still charge. I get it if a person doesn’t show up and you had a spot blocked for that kid and you were ready and waiting for that kid, but if you close your doors, you should not ask people to pay you for not being available that day.
I get paid for the hours that I am at work, doing work. When my work closes for a holiday, we don’t get paid because we aren’t working. If we want time off for a vacation, sickness, etc. We have to budget beforehand because if we aren’t working, we don’t get paid. Work=money
Maybe you should charge more for the days that you ARE working to cover those times that you want money when you AREN'T working?
No work=no money in my world. Be responsible and budget.

Time to upgrade to a better job. I get a total of 5 1/2 weeks PTO at my job per year plus federal holidays.

[nannyde]

Wow. This sounds greedy and entitled to close for a day and still charge. I get it if a person doesn’t show up and you had a spot blocked for that kid and you were ready and waiting for that kid, but if you close your doors, you should not ask people to pay you for not being available that day.
I get paid for the hours that I am at work, doing work. When my work closes for a holiday, we don’t get paid because we aren’t working. If we want time off for a vacation, sickness, etc. We have to budget beforehand because if we aren’t working, we don’t get paid. Work=money
Maybe you should charge more for the days that you ARE working to cover those times that you want money when you AREN'T working?
No work=no money in my world. Be responsible and budget.

Sounds like a job change is in order for you. We have risen far enough in our career to be able to demand paid time off. We choose when that is. Time to step up and get that job/education/experience etc. that will put you in the position to command paid time off.

[Josiegirl]

Every single workshop I've ever taken, concerning the dc biz, tells us to charge 52 weeks a year. Ask Tom Copeland; pretty certain that would be his recommendation as well.
Don't know if you're a provider or not, but being unregistered, it sounds like you simply want to ruffle feathers and watch the dust fly around.
Everyone has choices. Choices to make a job for yourself where you get PTO, choices to say mean things out of jealousy because you have a crappy job, dcps have choices to go with tired out providers who can't afford to take time off without pay or show their appreciation/respect for their provider's hard work and pay for occasional time off.

[Grey]

Every single workshop I've ever taken, concerning the dc biz, tells us to charge 52 weeks a year. Ask Tom Copeland; pretty certain that would be his recommendation as well.
Don't know if you're a provider or not, but being unregistered, it sounds like you simply want to ruffle feathers and watch the dust fly around.
Everyone has choices. Choices to make a job for yourself where you get PTO, choices to say mean things out of jealousy because you have a crappy job, dcps have choices to go with tired out providers who can't afford to take time off without pay or show their appreciation/respect for their provider's hard work and pay for occasional time off.

Hmm, sounds to me like someone who is just frustrated and also happens to have a different opinion. Would their post somehow be different if they had a different word beside it than "unregistered"?

[lovemykidstoo]

Hmm, sounds to me like someone who is just frustrated and also happens to have a different opinion. Would their post somehow be different if they had a different word beside it than "unregistered"?

It would to me because 9 times out of 10 when someone is unregistered it's when they're being hateful or trying to stir the pot. It's fine to have a different opinion, but there is no reason to hide about it.

[mommyneedsadayoff]

Hmm, sounds to me like someone who is just frustrated and also happens to have a different opinion. Would their post somehow be different if they had a different word beside it than "unregistered"?

If you read through the archives you will find numerous post identical to the one above by unregistered users. They bring back old posts (this one is from 2013!) and are unnecessarily rude, as in calling people greedy and entitled, stir the pot, then leave. It's very common. If you register with a name and want to have a discussion, this forum is excellent at having that discussion. But when you hide behind unregistered and make nasty comments, it's hard to take you seriously. In most cases, I would doubt they have anything to do with daycare and are just internet trolls. Not all, but a LOT!

[Josiegirl]

It would to me because 9 times out of 10 when someone is unregistered it's when they're being hateful or trying to stir the pot. It's fine to have a different opinion, but there is no reason to hide about it.

If you read through the archives you will find numerous post identical to the one above by unregistered users. They bring back old posts (this one is from 2013!) and are unnecessarily rude, as in calling people greedy and entitled, stir the pot, then leave. It's very common. If you register with a name and want to have a discussion, this forum is excellent at having that discussion. But when you hide behind unregistered and make nasty comments, it's hard to take you seriously. In most cases, I would doubt they have anything to do with daycare and are just internet trolls. Not all, but a LOT!

Yep. The internet can be a place to hide behind bullying, stirring the pot, all kinds of negative things. That poster might very well be frustrated and have a different opinion BUT hiding behind the 'unregistered' name and and calling people 'who charge for enrollment not attendance' greedy, isn't exactly the way to go about expressing an opinion or helping with their frustration levels, is it?

I went years and years not expecting dcfs to pay whenever I had a holiday or a day off. I'd never taken extra time off but watched my dh have all kinds of PTO at work and do stuff with our kids. I was very burned out and tired, not to mention resentful and bitter. After reading and hearing from workshops that providers need PTO too, I changed my policies. I don't abuse it or take advantage of my dcfs and many times we end up with the same time off anyways.

And as everybody has said, make sure you read policies before signing a contract.

[NewParent2018]

As a parent, I think most parents will understand. There are lots and lots of other businesses that handle things the same way, so we all should be used to it.

I wouldn't even offer an explanation - just say, 'And this is how our rates work'. If someone has a problem with it, then maybe mention how...

* It is a lot easier (for parents and you) to keep the costs the same

* That many of the costs you incur are still charged to you, even on holidays. Nobody gets back 1/30th of their insurance premium on a month with a holiday. The mortgage/rent/taxes you pay on the building are still their even when the children aren't.

* Lots of other businesses follow the same model. I have a season pass to a pool, when the pool is closed I don't get money back. I have a monthly pass to a gym, it costs the same each month even if the gym is closed on a few days.

Finally, if anyone had a really problem with it - I'd offer them the option to NOT pay for holidays. Just do the math - calculate how many hours they'd use the Daycare, then calculate how many holidays are including. Then increase the hourly rate so that every other hour is that tiny bit more expensive.

Something like:

For $15 an hour, holidays are included in your fee....but if you'd rather not pay on holidays, the rate is $15.65 per hour which works out to the exact same annual rate. There is, however, an additional administrative fee of $30 per year if you'd like the more detailed calculations involved in not charging you for a holiday. It's entirely up to you, but we find that most families prefer the flat rate.